Ronald McDonald House donates to St. Mary’s Guest House project

Citizen Staff Reports 10/10/12

Above, Derek Kung, president of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Richmond, (far right) presents a check for $175,000 to build a pediatric wing at the St. Mary's Guest House. Pictured left to right are: Dr. Billy Lennarz, VP of medical affairs, Bon Secours Children's Services; Toni Ardabell, CEO of St. Mary's Hospital; Ilona Scanlon and Kathryn Knierim, both child life specialists at St. Mary's. Ronald McDonald House Charities of Richmond also gave $75,000 to establish three family rooms in the hospital.

“We are profoundly grateful to Ronald McDonald House Charities for these generous gifts,” said Toni R. Ardabell, CEO of Bon Secours St. Mary’s Hospital. “It is invaluable not only to have financial support from Ronald McDonald House Charities, but also their expertise in providing a home away from home for patient families.”

The house will offer families a quiet place to relax and recharge with 14 guest rooms, two family suites and common areas. The Bon Secours Richmond Health Care Foundation has raised $2.3 million toward their $3 million goal for construction of the guest house, which is set to open its doors in late fall 2013. For details, visit http://www.bsvaf.org/guesthouse.

“RMHC is honored to be a part of the heroic efforts of Bon Secours’ pediatric health care providers,” said Derek W.H. Kung, president of the board of the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Richmond, VA, Inc. “We are proud to be teaming up with an organization and be part of a Richmond community that feels so passionately about the health and well-being of sick children and their families.”

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